Flax Canada 2015: A national initiative formed to position flax as one of the main drivers of the Canadian bio-economy by the year 2015

The Flax Canada 2015 initiative was officially launched today at a news conference held during the Biofiber Industry Advancement Workshop. With funding for the initiative from the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Science and Innovation Program, the Provincial governments of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as the Flax Council of Canada and the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, this national initiative will address how flax will become one of the main drivers of the Canadian bio-economy.

Flax Canada 2015 is a unique initiative established to identify and exploit value-added opportunities for flax, with a goal to obtain a $1.5 billion farm-gate value by the year 2015. It will increase the value of flax by making it an important component of the preventative approach to human and animal health. It will also support the value-added sector by developing a strategy for total utilization of flax, for food, feed, fiber, health and industrial uses.

“Canada is currently the world’s top producer of flax, producing approximately 700,000 tonnes per year,” says Mr. John Oliver, Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for Flax Canada 2015 and President of Maple Leaf Bio-Concepts. “This initiative is linking researchers with industry, the health care community and the government to create new value-added opportunities for flax utilization. Due to the generous support of our project sponsors, flax could well become the big new crop of the early 21st century.”

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1“Canada is recognized as a world leader for developing and commercializing flax products for food, feed and industrial use,” said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell.  “The Government of Canada welcomes this opportunity to build on our collective strengths aimed at positioning flax as a key contributor to the Canadian bio-economy.” AAFC is contributing up to $810, 000 to this project SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1.

“The Flax Council, on behalf of its members, is very appreciative of the increased recognition that the Canadian flax industry is receiving due to the Flax Canada 2015 initiative,” says the Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for Flax Canada 2015 and President of the Flax Council of Canada, Mr. Barry Hall. “This activity will ensure that Canada continues to be the world leader in flax production and value added flax based products.”

Also at attendance for today’s news conference was Mr. Alan Hall, Managing Director, Alberta Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Mr. Keith Watson, Diversification Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and Mr. Bill Greuel, Provincial Specialist in Oilseed and Transgenic Crops. Each speaker,  representing their respective provincial governments, spoke on the impact flax could have for the future of agriculture in Western Canada and the importance of the Flax Canada 2015 initiative to bring these opportunities forward.

The Flax Canada 2015 website was also launched today, giving the public an overview of the initiative’s objectives and working groups, as well as flax-related information and resources.

Flax Canada 2015 Background Information

FLAX CANADA 2015 PROJECT FUNDING:

Agricultural Policy Framework (APF), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth. As the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector moves into the 21st century, it faces many challenges and opportunities for continued prosperity. Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture have pledged to meet today's challenges by jointly developing a comprehensive Agricultural Policy Framework

Province of Alberta
Alberta Agricultural Research Institute
The Alberta Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) is the primary agency in Alberta for funding, coordinating and promoting strategic agricultural initiatives in research, development and technology transfer for the agriculture and agri-food sector. AARI was established by the Alberta Science and Research Authority Act and funds numerous projects each year that play a significant role in advancing Alberta's position as a global player in the agriculture and food sector.

Province of Manitoba
Manitoba’s Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI) is the primary funding body for agri-food research in the province. With contributions from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI), ARDI funding supports innovative research that results in vibrant rural communities and profitable, sustainable farms. In addition, MAFRI provides complimentary support to primary and value-added enterprises through a range of farm and rural services delivered throughout Manitoba.

Province of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's mandate is to foster a commercially viable, self-sufficient and sustainable agriculture and food sector. Working with individuals, businesses, communities, and governments, the department assists farmers and ranchers, encourages higher value production and processing, and promotes sustainable economic development in rural Saskatchewan.

Flax Council of Canada
The Flax Council of Canada is a single organization, representing the producers, grain handlers, shippers, exporters and end-users of flax. Established in 1986 with full representation from all agricultural and industrial flax interests, the Flax Council promotes the advancement of flax and flax products. The Council focuses the resources of the entire Canadian flax industry on flax market development, market and production research and crop promotion. Through its marketing initiatives and communication programs, the Flax Council creates worldwide market opportunities for flax. The Council has a strong research and technical emphasis, supporting flax-related research both with direct funding and indirectly as a coordinating forum.

Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, established in 1996, works to lead, promote, and enhance the production, value-added processing and utilization of Saskatchewan flax. The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission has defined three main areas of activity allocating check-off dollars annually to research; communication and market facilitation with the intent to provide for the orderly and effective development of the flax industry in Saskatchewan.

FLAX CANADA 2015 PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

Ag-West Bio Inc., the executing agency for Flax Canada 2015, is a not for profit, member-based organization at the forefront of Saskatchewan’s bio-economy. Ag-West Bio works as a catalyst for partnerships and industry growth through investments, aiding strategic alliances, providing regulatory advice and communications. Integral to the development of one of North America’s most successful life science clusters, consider Ag-West Bio your complete resource for information on Saskatchewan’s bio-economy.

FLAX CANADA 2015 PROJECT COORDINATION:

Kelley C. Fitzpatrick is coordinating the Flax Canada 2015 initiative under contract with Ag-West Bio. Kelley is the former manager of marketing and research development for the University of Manitoba’s Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. Ms Fitzpatrick was also the Founding President of the Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network (SNN). Ms. Fitzpatrick has given over 300 invited presentations at major national and international functions on numerous topics related to nutraceuticals and functional foods. She is a member of a number of industry and association boards, including the Dietitians of Canada; the Canadian Society for Nutritional Sciences and the Expert Committee on Fats, Oils and Other Lipids and a member of the ‘Expert Advisory Panel for Standards of Evidence for Health Claims for Foods’. She has a Master of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg.

Kelley C. Fitzpatrick, M.Sc.
367 Niagara Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0V3, CANADA
Tel:  (204) 487-2318                           
Fax: (204) 942-1841
Email: kelleyf@shaw.ca